About a year and a half after shipping Andy Carroll out of Tyneside, Newcastle seem to be eyeing a move for their old striker.

According to ESPN and BBC, Newcastle have approached Liverpool with a loan offer that may turn into a permanent move for the big striker.

Carroll emerged on the football scene with Newcastle, leading the Toon in scoring in 2009-10 while helping them to promotion back to the Premier League. He started 2010-11 off strongly as well, scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances before being sold to Liverpool for £35 million that January deadline day.

However, Carroll has never quite found the same form at Anfield that he enjoyed in the end of his Newcastle tenure, scoring just 11 goals through a season and a half.

With the appointment of new manager Brendan Rodgers, Carroll's future at Liverpool has looked slightly uncertain, as his "target man" status does not quite fit in the new manager's control and passing style that his Swansea side exemplified last season.

However, Carroll's old club could be an even better destination for him.

Perhaps while he's there, Carroll will be able to recapture the form he seems to have left at St James' Park.

Additionally, the club had a renaissance season in 2011-12, finishing fifth in the table in a race for Champions League football that came down to the final match.

With reports having Newcastle's big striker, Demba Ba, possibly leaving the club, Carroll could be a much-needed goal-scorer for the club.

As for Liverpool, they can monitor and evaluate Carroll's form while he is experiencing first-team top-flight football. Hence, this type of loan move can help the Reds make up their minds on the striker's future at the club.